WHEN the new rankings are released tomorrow, Roger Federer - the man who has spent more weeks at world No. 1 than any other player - will no longer be No. 1 in Switzerland.

Regardless of the result of tonight's final, Stan Wawrinka will vault to at least No 5 in the world, and possibly as high as No 3 if he wins.

Either way, Wawrinka has outperformed his illustrious compatriot in successive grand slams, raising the issue of what lies ahead for 32-year-old Federer.

After a scything run to his 11th consecutive Melbourne Park grand slam, Federer will drop to world No 8 - his lowest mark since October 2002.

For the winner of 17 majors, and a fixture at world No 1 for a record 302 weeks, falling to the fringe of the top 10 might be a worrying sign.

Not for Federer who, despite a 23rd defeat in 33 matches to nemesis Nadal, remains upbeat a racquet change, improved health and Stefan Edberg's influence will have a huge impact.

"I think this is a very good start to the season for me overall. I played some really good tennis here," Federer said after an semi-final exit.

"I still feel my best tennis is only ahead of me right now. So I'm looking forward to the next couple of months, how they're going to play out for me, and hopefully by April I feel like I'm going to be at 100% again.

"Would have been nice to win Brisbane (where he lost to Lleyton Hewitt), would have been nice to win here tonight, but you can't have it all."

The winner of 77 singles titles, Federer last season captured only the Halle crown - his lowest season aggregate in more than a decade.

But the Swiss points the chronic back problem that had worsened over the past two years.

And he insists high-class wins over the past week against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Andy Murray bode well for the rest of the season.

"I needed a good moment again because I've been going through a tougher time for some time," he said.

"Even though you can say that Basel (final) was better, Paris (semis) was better, London was better (semis), the results were slightly better, but the game itself was not necessarily amazing.

"I mean, it was solid, but what I like to do is I like to take it to the guy. I like to be in command.

"That's what I was able to do now the last couple of weeks. So that's very encouraging.

"Like I said, that's why I'm not too disappointed (to lose to Nadal) because I feel it's been a good start.

"I've come from far back. I didn't have surgery like Murray had or like Rafa the problems had being out for seven months.

"I've played with something that has been going on for a while., this is a step in the right direction, and that's the way I want to go.

"I have a belief this could be a very good year for me again."

A feature of Federer's winning displays at Melbourne Park was his willingness to attack the net - evidence of Edberg's influence.

Nadal, however, remains Federer's greatest challenge.

"Rafa does a good job of neutralising you," Federer said.

"You need to play tough and aggressive and you just have to be solid.

"So I guess at times I couldn't quite do what I wanted to do, but that's because of Rafa."

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